The Langeberg Municipality warns residents and travelers to expect temporary traffic interruptions during the transport of large wind turbine parts through Robertson and Ashton.
The Standard Breederivier Gazette reported last week on the planning that needs be done before the company, Superloads, can transport the cumbersome freight.
According to the municipality, traffic on the R60 will be affected once a week until July next year. There will be scheduled temporary traffic interruptions along Voortrekker Road (R60) through Robertson and Main Road, Ashton to Swellendam. These interruptions will occur once a week until December, excluding the holiday period from December 10 to January 13.
Superloads will transport the wind turbine parts from Saldanha Bay to Swellendam, where the Overberg Wind Farm is located. It consist of 39 wind turbines, manufactured in China and shipped to South Africa.
The Cape Town harbour could not accommodate the large and unwieldy parts and it was decided to ship the components to Saldanha and transport it via road to Swellendam.
“There are varying perceptions of the impact of this intervention. Management at Langeberg Municipality is aware of the importance of infrastructure, business disruptions, and resident frustration. However, wind farms make a significant contribution to the transition from carbon-based power generation to renewable and clean energy.
“The bigger picture of reducing global warming and pollution, as well as ensuring a sustainable power supply, is highly relevant. In simple terms, the process is disruptive for a short period but beneficial in the long run,” the municipality stated in a press release.
All components are transported by trucks. Smaller items appear as normal loads, while larger components are abnormal loads transported in convoys.
“Each turbine has three blades, so convoys will include at least three trucks, often more. The tower, when erected, is 130 m high and is transported in sections, weighing around 160 tons in total. Each blade is approximately 90m long and weighs about 30 tons, making transport challenging, especially through curves.”
According to the municipality the abnormal load trucks will cause the most disruptions. Road inspections and modifications will be approved by municipalities. The logistics company said that all changes will be restored and its insurance will cover any damage.
In Robertson, modifications include removing streetlights (to be replaced with solar-powered lights), adjusting a traffic circle, and pruning trees closer to transport dates.
The municipality said it will keep residents informed of what distruptions to expect, though it is hard to predict the exact times the convoy will move through the town.
A WhatsApp group was created for real-time updates.
The convoys take about 20 minutes to pass through Robertson, and traffic officers will manage the flow to minimise disruption. Only the main road will be affected.
“Transport coincides with peak farming season, when grapes and fresh produce are moved to wine cellars and packing facilities along the main road. Effective communication and traffic control aim to minimise disruptions,” the municipality said.
It says the process to establish a wind farm has several steps before it can happen. Firstly large companies with high carbon footprints decide to invest in wind farms. Then approval must be given for test towers and wind measurements. Thereafter a location with consistent wind is chosen and negotiations with landowners and signing contracts start before inclusion in design and development plans.
“The Langeberg Municipality appreciates the community’s patience and cooperation during this period.”
